Posted 9:22 pm Friday, August 17, 2012
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Readers react to letter questioning 'who built that'
Regarding Pat Wright’s recent letter, once again asserting that businesses could not have been built without the government’s assistance, from the beginning — long before the institution of governments, people have built roads to facilitate trade — travel, and transportation. We have roads because the Indians traveled and traded, the pilgrims and pioneers did likewise. We have paved roads because Henry Ford built a business that brought the automobile to the masses.
We the people gave government the responsibility for planning and maintaining those roads, just as we have given government other responsibilities. And we, the business builders and owners, have paid for those roads and other services with our taxes. We have also built businesses in spite of ridiculous and expensive government interference and regulations.
Kathleen Snow
Bullard
We the people gave government the responsibility for planning and maintaining those roads, just as we have given government other responsibilities. And we, the business builders and owners, have paid for those roads and other services with our taxes. We have also built businesses in spite of ridiculous and expensive government interference and regulations.
Kathleen Snow
Bullard
I Built It
A recent letter asked for an explanation of how a private business owner really built his or her own business. I think I can help, because I’m one of those who “built it,” by God’s grace. The process usually goes something like this: I worked 60 to 90 hours a week for most of 10 years, all alone. I never took a vacation without my cell phone and laptop, if I took vacation at all. At some point, I needed capital, so I collateralized nearly everything in sight to get a business loan, and thereby put a huge chunk of my financial life at risk. That made me work even harder, ferociously study my clients’ needs and preferences, and learn what I had to know to keep moving forward.
I never paid less than 35 percent of my income in Federal income taxes, plus all the other taxes, fees, and parasite charges that every government entity wanted. Presently, we employ 16 taxpayers who pump several million dollars annually into various government accounts. So, I not only built my business, but I paid for my share of all those swell government features, plus the shares of the nearly 50 percent of Americans who pay no taxes.
Governments build absolutely nothing without cash from private enterprise. Does that answer the question?
Governments are like intestinal bacteria — we can’t live without them, but we die if they overgrow their proper space and function, and the bacteria can’t survive without a healthy host.
Raymond L. Woodward
Tyler
I never paid less than 35 percent of my income in Federal income taxes, plus all the other taxes, fees, and parasite charges that every government entity wanted. Presently, we employ 16 taxpayers who pump several million dollars annually into various government accounts. So, I not only built my business, but I paid for my share of all those swell government features, plus the shares of the nearly 50 percent of Americans who pay no taxes.
Governments build absolutely nothing without cash from private enterprise. Does that answer the question?
Governments are like intestinal bacteria — we can’t live without them, but we die if they overgrow their proper space and function, and the bacteria can’t survive without a healthy host.
Raymond L. Woodward
Tyler
People, Not Government
Why do progressive, big-government liberals always start a discussion with an incorrect assumption? The United States had a revolution to get away from a monarch who told them what to do and with no input from the citizens.
This premise of the government providing all the necessary items to make someone a success is the false assumption by liberals.
People have ideas and then elect individuals to the various levels of government in order to get their ideas implemented.
David Carder
Flint
This premise of the government providing all the necessary items to make someone a success is the false assumption by liberals.
People have ideas and then elect individuals to the various levels of government in order to get their ideas implemented.
David Carder
Flint
No Secret
In response to the letter defending the presidents comment “you didn’t build that,” there is no great secret to report to building a successful business. It’s having vision, risking one’s resources, having a good banker and enduring a lot of hard work and sleepless nights.
Regarding the letter’s comment about roads, water, electricity, phone service, cable access, and fire and police protection, many of these items are paid for directly each month by the way of a bill, and others are paid for by taxes.
It’s our money, not the government’s. They just allocate it back.
Monroe Menke
Frankston
Regarding the letter’s comment about roads, water, electricity, phone service, cable access, and fire and police protection, many of these items are paid for directly each month by the way of a bill, and others are paid for by taxes.
It’s our money, not the government’s. They just allocate it back.
Monroe Menke
Frankston
